Court rules nine suspects have case to answer over 2018 Solai Dam tragedy

A court in Naivasha has ruled that nine suspects must defend themselves against charges of manslaughter and neglect of duty in relation to the Solai Dam tragedy that killed 48 people in Nakuru four years ago.

The suspects are farm owner Perry Manusukh, as well as; Vinoj Jaya Kumar, Johnson Njuguna, Luka Kipyegen, Winnie Muthoni, Jacinta Were, Tomkin Odo Odhiambo, Williec Omondi, and Lynette Cheruiyot.

The nine are accused of neglecting their duty by failing to prepare an environmental impact assessment report, which led to the deaths on May 9, 2018.

The court made the decision to put the suspects on their defense after considering evidence from 36 State witnesses.

During the proceedings, there was a dispute over an application by witness counsel Kelly Marenya to be allowed to cross-examine the defense witnesses.

Marenya argued that the witnesses, who were the most affected by the dam incident, had been left as mere bystanders during the course of the case.

His application was supported by State Counsel Alex Muteti who said that the victims had the right to participate in the case; the defense, through Senior Counsel Pravin Bowry, however opposed this application.

The magistrate directed the victims' counsel to file their application within seven days and for the defense to reply in another seven days.

The case will come up for mention on May 11, 2023.